Shaft mounting and electrical grounding device

Abstract

A device which supports a shaft rotatably in an electrically grounded frame. The shaft is mounted in bearings in the aperture of an electrically conductive molded member mounted on the frame. A grounding brush is secured to the molded member and electrically connects the shaft with the molded member so as to electrically ground the shaft.

I claim: 
     
       1. A device for supporting a shaft rotatably in an electrically grounded frame, including: an electrically conductive molded member mounted on the frame, said molded member having an aperture therein;   means, mounted in the aperture of said molded member, for rotatably supporting the shaft; and   means, mounted on said molded member, for electrically connecting said molded member to the shaft so as to electrically ground the shaft.   
     
     
       2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said rotatably supporting means includes: an inner race adapted to support the shaft and rotate substantially in unison therewith; and   an outer race in molded non-rotative engagement with said molded member.   
     
     
       3. A device according to claim 2, wherein said connecting means includes: a support member; and   a multiplicity of fibers extending outwardly from said support member in contact with the shaft.   
     
     
       4. A device according to claim 3, wherein said multiplicity of fibers include at least two bundles of fibers extending outwardly from said ring with said bundles being opposed from one another. 
     
     
       5. A device according to claim 4, wherein said bundles of fibers are molded integrally with said ring. 
     
     
       6. A device according to claim 5, wherein the aperture in said molded member is located in a selected position so that when said support member is mounted therein, the fibers extending outwardly therefrom contact the shaft. 
     
     
       7. A device according to claim 3, wherein said support member includes a ring adapted to be mounted in the aperture in said molded member. 
     
     
       8. A device according to claim 7, wherein the outer race of said bearing member is captured to prevent axial movement thereof relative to said molded member. 
     
     
       9. A device according to claim 8, wherein said molded member is a unitary member. 
     
     
       10. A device according to claim 9, wherein said support member is made from an electrically conductive material. 
     
     
       11. A device according to claim 10, wherein said fibers are made from an electrically conductive material.